Amber Freeman to Eventual Tara Carpenter x Fem!Reader
Chapter one: It's Nice to Have a Friend
Summary: You are enjoying a pleasant evening with Tara when things escalate for the worse when you answer a phone call from your girlfriend, Amber. There's only one person who can get your day back on track
Warning(s): Swearing, toxic!amber x reader, arguing, & implied anxiety
Notes: first chapter out. finally.
Masterlist|Next Part
You were currently napping at your desk, drool dripping down the side of your mouth as your trigonometry teacher drowned on about—something, you couldn’t really think right now. You were up until three in the morning preparing for your physics exam. You would be risking your spot on the football team if you got anything that wasn’t passing.
So here you were, knocked out in the middle of math, when all of a sudden something smacks the side of your face. It’s enough to get your attention, waking you up before you look around with a puzzled expression. You rubbed your eyes before grabbing the folded piece of paper that had hit you.
you drool when you sleep, the note read. You peaked to your left, glancing at the girl who sat one over from you. A smile began to graze your face when you realized who had thrown you the note. You wrote a reply on the corner of the paper before swiftly passing it back to the girl.
When she looked over to you, you were already looking up ahead as if nothing. She read the note; at least i dont watch people while they’re sleeping creep. She couldn’t help but smirk down at the note, playfully rolling her eyes before ripping off another piece of paper from her notebook to roll into a ball and throw it at you. You narrow your eyes at her but she’s imitating a confused look.
Then the sound of your teacher clearing his throat could be heard. “Ahem. Tara and Y/N, is there something you would like to share?”
You and Tara make eye contact before looking back at the teacher.
“No, Mr. Quinn,” Tara said before you followed with, “No, sir.”
After a second he nodded, “Alright then—as I was saying.” He turned back around, continuing the lesson.
When the class was over, Tara walked over as you were packing your things. You could hear her impatience as you did so which caused you to roll your eyes. “You don’t have to wait for me,” you told her while zipping up your bag.
“And you don’t have to be the slowest person alive, but here we are,” she countered as you both began to walk out of the classroom.
“Whatever—damn it these halls,” you grunt after somebody slams into you. “We’re doomed if the school’s ever set on fire.”
“I don’t care what the code or whatever is, if the school’s set on fire it’s every student for themselves,” Tara replies.
“You do know that means right?”
“What?” She knitted her eyebrows, looking up at you as the two of you continued to walk in the school’s halls.
“Tiniest people go first,” you answer—immediately making Tara shove your arm.
“Shut the fuck up,” she laughed, her dimples showing as she lightly shook her head. Tara’s hand was still gripping your sleeve, an action that neither of you took notice of. She’s been your friend, your best friend, since you were six years old; a bit of physical touch was not uncommon in your friendship, never questioned.
Both of you were now leaning against a vacant wall, and just as she was about to open her mouth to say something else, another arm slipped around your waist, causing Tara to let go of your arm. It didn’t take long for this person to practically be clinging off of you—her arm around your waist, the index finger of her other hand hooked in one of your belt loops.
Of course, who else could this person be than none other than your girlfriend; Amber Freeman.
“Oh, hey Tara. Didn’t see you,” Amber backhandedly greeted without even looking at Tara. Amber had always been passive aggressive towards Tara. The Carpenter couldn’t explain it well if you asked her, but ever since they met—seventh grade—it’s like she has this vendetta against her. You were having lunch with Tara when Amber met you, and it didn’t take long for her to take a liking to you. She had developed a crush on you throughout middle school, it wasn’t until the summer before sophomore year that you and her got together.
And that is how the three of you were now in this hallway, Amber with her arm around your waist, your own arm around her shoulder, while Tara resisted the urge to gag at the PDA.
“I actually have to get going, but I’ll see you later?” Tara says as she starts to make a subtle exit. She no longer saw a reason to stay.
“Of course, see you around,” you send her a smile that she doesn’t hesitate to send back. That was something you could always count on her for.
Your eyes don’t leave Tara until they lose track of her in the crowded hallway. Just seconds later you felt a tug on your belt loop and you looked down to see Amber.
“Are you coming to the party tonight? Marcy’s throwing it since her parents are out of town for the next few days,” your girlfriend explained.
“Sorry, can’t tonight. I have to watch my little brother. Some other time?” Your tone was apologetic as you gently rubbed her lower back, hoping she wouldn’t be too upset you couldn’t make it to Marcy’s party.
“Whatever. It’s fine,” was all she said—her voice monotone and dismissive—while she began to pull away. Your eyebrows furrowed at her actions and a pressure starts to envelop your chest. She started to turn to walk away from you and that’s when you reached for her hands.
“Hey,” you murmured loud enough for her to hear while you turned her back around to face you. “I’ll try and get the next one, okay?” You try to hold eye contact with her but she seems to find the ground more interesting. “I’m sorry, Ambs.”
She finally looks up, sighing. “It’s okay. Next time.”
“Next time,” you nod as you bite the inside of your cheek.
Amber looked at you, letting out another sigh before saying, “I’m fine, Y/N—really. You’ll get the next one.” That tightening feeling in your chest begins to loosen at her reassurance. “I have to go,” she gives you a kiss, deepening it just before pulling away. “I’ll text you this weekend?”
You hummed in response, and the two of you shared another kiss before you both set off for the day.
After making sure you had everything, you began to walk towards the main entrance—leaving the building before making your way to the spot where you and Tara meet up everyday after school. You always walk home together, pretty much since you first started becoming friends.
You leaned against the pillar as you waited for Tara; it’s not like you didn’t see her just a few minutes earlier, so she shouldn’t be too long. You look out ahead, blankly staring at the patches of ice that covered the ground; it was windy out, so much in fact you felt as though you couldn’t go without five seconds of blinking or else you would start tearing up. Thank goodness for eyelids—
—“Boo!” You heard someone shout; you immediately jumped back, startled, your hands were raised and ready to swing at whoever or whatever. But any thoughts of fighting vanish when you look over to see the culprit. “Jesus fuck, Tara,” you suspired.
She’s laughing her ass off, both hands over her mouth. You let out a dramatic exhale before saying, “I’m gonna get you for this. Just wait.”
“Oh yeah?” She replied between giggles, “What are you gonna do? Throw a football at me?”
“You’ll see,” you warned while narrowing your eyes at her.
Tara was finally able to get herself to stop laughing. “Of course you will, tough guy.”
“Whatever,” you mumbled as the two of you began to walk. “So, got any plans on this incredibly dull Friday evening?” You inquired while digging through your pocket for your gloves.
“Mmm not really,” Tara answered. Her arms always had a slight sway to them as she walked; it’s something you’ve always noticed, it’s one of the things that’s never changed about her.
“Then are you free to come over? My parents are out of town and I’m still gonna be watching my brother, but he’s probably just gonna be playing video games with his friends the whole time anyway,” you said; your hands were still digging around in your pockets.
“Yeah, I’m down.” Tara looked at you with raised eyebrows before saying, “Um, you looking for something?”
You suddenly groaned when you realized, “Shit. I left my gloves at home.” You roll your eyes at your own forgetfulness before stuffing your hands back in your pockets in an attempt to keep them warm.
“You can take mine,” Tara tells you. Without hesitation, she stops and begins to take off her own gloves but you put your hand over her own to stop her.
“Tara, don’t be ridiculous. I’ll be fine,” you try to reassure her.
At this point, you both have stopped walking. Tara shook her head at you, “Don’t be so stubborn. Just take them.”
“What about your hands?”
“I’ll survive.”
“Now who’s being stubborn?” Ugh, you were so annoying. How dare you use her own words against her.
“Fine. How about this, you take one glove and I keep the other one.” She looked at the hesitant look on your face before sighing, “If you don’t take it then I’ll just refuse to wear my gloves at all and then we’ll both freeze our hands off.”
“Fine,” you finally gave in, taking the other glove from Tara and putting it on. You slipped on only half of the glove before you realized something. “Wait. You don’t have pockets.”
“Okay?” Tara looked at you confused.
“Where are you gonna put your ungloved hand?”
“Oh my God, I’ll be okay. I have—”
“—Warm blood? Yeah, I’ve heard that one before,” you chuckled.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Tara asked in a defensive tone.
“You said the same thing when we went to see No Way Home but all I could hear was your teeth clattering.”
“That is not true!”
“People complained!”
After a few moments of silence of seeing who would break first, you finally spoke up. “Okay. How about this, you use one of my pockets. Deal?”
“It’s not that deep,” Tara protested.
“...Deal?”
Tara rolled her eyes, shutting them as she sighed before looking at you again. “Deal.”
She got closer to you before you wrapped your arm around her, giving her right hand access to your right pocket. A smile grazed your face, “See now was that so hard, shortstack?” You teased as you lightly noogied her with your free hand.
“You are such an ass and a half for that,” you heard her bitterly say.
“Yet you stay,” you said as you were both turning the corner to where your house was.
“I should’ve left you on that street corner where you were standing.”
“But you didn’t,” you remark while getting your key out of your pocket.
“Just shut up and open the door. It’s freezing and my feet still hurt from gym,” Tara complained, never dropping her hand from your pocket.
“Oh? I thought you were—what was it? ‘Warm blooded’ you said?” You smirked, beginning to turn the front door’s lock with your key. Tara started shoving you as soon as you unlocked the door.
“Hush,” she scolded you while taking off her shoes.
“No need to shove.” You kick off your shoes before placing them to the side. You and Tara make your way to the kitchen, placing your stuff down on the way in.
“Your parents already left?” Tara asked as you rummaged through your refrigerator.
“Yeah, they had to go to some funeral. Nobody I was close with though—I think it was a distant uncle,” you filled her in as you gave her one of the gatorades you pulled out of the fridge. “They should be back by tomorrow night,” you continued.
“And I’m assuming that’s your brother upstairs?”
Your little brother and his friends were currently yelling at each other over voice chat, you weren’t really sure what about but you knew it was video game related.
“Of course,” you said after taking a sip of your own gatorade, “Wanna head to my room or the basement?”
“Either’s fine, I’m honestly just beat. Anywhere I can lay down I’m totally open to,” Tara said while stretching out her arms.
“My room it is.”
—
“So,” Tara started; you were both on your bed, her legs on your lap as you both watched a show on your laptop, “what did the ice queen want when I left earlier?” The use of the nickname Tara had for Amber caused you to glance at her.
“Tara,” you said, giving her a look that matched your scolding tone. She mumbled something under her breath before you continued. “She just wanted to know if I could make it to a party tonight. I just said I couldn’t, and that was that.”
“Ah,” she replied in a monotone voice.
“What?” You asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nothing, that was just a normal ‘ah.’”
“If you say so…” You both turn back to screen, Tara reaches over you to grab one of the snacks before you feel a buzz in your pocket; you looked down to see you got a message from Mindy.
“Who is it?” asked Tara, followed by her shoving a few gummy bears in her mouth.
“Your sister,” you replied without hesitation as you typed.
She shoved you with her foot, glaring at you for your comment.
“Nah, just Mindy asking if I’ll be at the party—oh, and apparently Wes too.” Tara immediately grabbed the nearest pillow and shoved her face against it, her loud groaning muffled. You laughed at her actions before continuing, “Maybe it’s not as bad as you think. Maybe he really is just curi—nevermind, I can’t even lie.”
She let out an even louder groan. After a few more seconds, she finally picked up her head as she sighed.
“We dated for like five minutes. That’s it.”
“You can’t blame the boy for being so obsessed with you. I mean, look at that face,” you teased as you pinched her cheeks. She rolled her eyes, harshly letting her head fall against your bed’s headboard.
“Ow,” she winced.
“14 year-old you just had to be polite,” you said while also moving your head to rest against your bed’s headboard. You tilted your head to face her, now looking at each other as you slipped your phone back into your pocket.
“That isn’t …exactly what happened,” her eyes trailed down to her lap.
“It’s exactly what happened. You would’ve felt too guilty to say no because his pet hamster had just died.”
“Ugh.”
“How come you’re never that nice to me?” You feigned a pout while reaching for your phone that was now vibrating in your back pocket. “Uh. I gotta take this. Gimme a sec.”
Tara didn’t have to ask who it was. She already knew from the shift in your demeanor and attitude.
“Hey…” Tara heard you trail off as you left the room. You closed the door, going off to the side and leaning against the wall.
“Hey.” Amber’s greeting was curt and monotone. Nothing good could come from whatever she was about to say next.
“What’s up babe?” You hoped that your voice didn’t show how nervous you were.
“Don’t ‘babe’ me. What is this I’m hearing about you and Anika?” Shit. You know you should’ve told her sooner, you still would’ve gotten heat for it but at least it would’ve came from you and not a gossiping cheerleader just trying to stir up trouble.
“It’s nothing bad—I just need some help in physics and she agreed to tutor me,” you tried to explain as straight-forward as you could.
“How do you conveniently fail to mention this? We saw each other not long ago, yeah? So how come I have to hear about this from Daphne?”
“There’s nothing else going on other than studying. She just—”
“She just what?!”
“She just offered! She overheard me talking to Chad about needing to get my grade up!”
“Yeah right, Y/N! Everyone knows she has a thing for you, don’t be so naive,” she scolded as if you were a troublesome child. “I bet this is why you didn’t want to come to the party tonight.”
“Are you kidding? I told you, I have to watch my brother tonight. And Anika does not have a thing for me. Why can’t people just be nice to me without you freaking out?” Now you were pacing back and forth.
“Maybe I wouldn’t have to freak out if you would just tell me these things beforehand!” She shouted.
A familiar tightness in your chest grew with each word she threw at you, and your tongue felt as though it was glued to the roof of your mouth. What could you possibly say when you knew it wouldn’t suffice? You knew nothing you said would matter. You knew she wouldn’t have any of it.
“And you fail to notice half the school wants you—but once again, you’re just being naive! But I’m just your lame girlfriend, right? I don’t matter?”
You manage a scoff at her words. “Who—when did I say that?”
“Yeah go ahead, act like I’m insane. That I’m just making it all up in my head,” Amber went on as you rubbed the bridge of your nose.
“That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m sorry, I just—”
“So you’re saying I’m not making this all up in my head? That I should worry about this?” This remark only made you even more exasperated from how insane it all sounded. This is insane, right? You’re not losing it? There really is no winning with this woman.
“What? No! Of course not. Please just tell me what the right thing to say is.”
Then there was a pause that lasted a little over five seconds, but it felt longer. After the pause, you could hear Amber sigh over the phone. “I just need space right now.”
“I feel like… I feel like you always need space,” you confessed, aggravation at the tip of your voice.
“Have you ever considered this is why? Maybe I wouldn’t need so much space if you would actually learn to listen to me for once,” she sourly shot back. Although she was no longer shouting, you could feel her burning frustration through the phone. You were all too familiar with her pattern of emotions when it came to disagreements with her.
“I am listening but—”
“Clearly you’re not if there’s a ‘but’ to that.” Amber let out a dry laugh. “This is exactly why I need space; why we need space. When you wanna start acting like my girlfriend—you know where to reach me.”
She didn’t give you a chance to plead your case any further, hanging up the phone just as she spoke her last words.
You let your head hit the nearby wall as you slumped down to sit on the floor, groaning out. You tucked in your knees close to your chest before dropping your head to rest on them.
God, how could you be so stupid? You should know better by now—right? It’s not like you haven't had the same argument with Amber over and over again. It was routine at this point. Literally all your fights go about the same.
You picked at your jeans, silently murmuring to yourself as you replayed the argument in your head.
“Fine. Take your space. I don’t care.” Your chin rested on your free arm that laid on your knees as your other free hand continued to pick at your pants. “Are people not allowed to be nice to me? I don’t say anything when she studies with other people. What’s so different about me? I’ve never given her a reason to think otherwise…”
Just then, the door opened. You looked over to your right, completely forgetting you were just outside your bedroom door. You looked up to see Tara staring down at you as she leaned against the door frame.
“Hey,” she greeted, walking over to sit in the vacant spot next to you on the floor.
“Hi.”
"Talking to yourself?" She quipped, jokingly, as a way to lighten the mood.
"You know me," you said. But Tara saw through to your thrown attitude.
“You okay?” She asked once she sat down.
“I’m… alright.” You responded, now looking at her. “Just the usual, you know.” There was a pause and a look that Tara was giving; you broke, sighing as you stared back down to your own fingers before speaking again. “She, uh, found out about Anika tutoring me. I guess she’s not Anika’s biggest fan or something.”
Tara knew she should comfort you. No matter how much she wanted to tell you that Amber was terrible, no good, and a bitch, she knew that would do no good. Reassurance was the way to go in these situations with Amber, no matter how much she hated the taste of her own words. “She’ll come around. She always does.”
“Thanks…”
A moment of silence passes before Tara gets up from her spot, your eyes tracking her movement. She reaches her hand out for you to grab before saying, “Come on, let’s play Mortal Combat or something. I’m bored and feel like showing off.”
You laughed as you took her hand and stood up. When you stood up, your fingers interlocked with hers, almost like puzzle pieces. She rubbed her thumb over your hand for extra measure. A sense of warmth flew through you and the tension in your shoulders start to release.
June prompts based on this Year Of The OTP fandom event. Tackling these prompts: Pride, "I can't get you out of my mind" and Relationship Reveal.
Sharing the June Oneshot here, but alternatively can be found on my AO3 here.
Also attempts were made making this "Crack Treated Seriously" without taking it too serious myself.
Had to redo a whole segment here due realizing it was No Joseph June and I was committed to seeing that through. So John POV for the second POV segment instead!
This one includes multiple POVs that originally would have gone through Jacob, John, Nadi, Alexander before ending with Silva, but unfortunately got stuck with Writer's Block while writing John's segment, so settled for Jacob, John and then Silva's segments. Which unfortunately means no Nadi trying to get John off the conspiracy train and into a full night's rest, as well as no Alexander relaxing with Jacob as the ginger talks about Silva being some kind of master manipulator like Paul.
This oneshot specifically takes place in my Daylight AU (named after David Kushner's song, because that's the main song I think of when thinking about Silva and Paul's relationship), where instead of escaping the Archipiélagos with Elsa and an infant Persephone (while getting separated from Paul and believing him dead), Silva escapes with Paul, and both make their way into Montana, believing themselves the sole survivors of the Tumultite Massacre.
One major change from this is that Silva and Paul have only gotten closer (since in this AU Paul didn't start a cult and murder Silva's first daughter), and since Paul never founded the Apostles of Zachariah, Silva doesn't get in a fight with any of Paul's heralds (specifically Nashira and Fyredel, the former who used her mechanized whip to tear a chunk of skin off of Silva's front right shoulder and the latter who used his flamethrower to burn at the back of Silva's left shoulder... details only relevant to the now cut smut portion), and therefore doesn't have as much trauma, moral principles and scars as she does in her actual canon.
This is yet another oneshot that was originally intended to be a smut fic, but Writer's Block caught me, so decided to save the smut for a later time.
Anyway, enjoy reading below the cut or above in the AO3 link!
Title: Misconstrued
Series: The Silver Chronicles
Pairing: Boa Lurking In The Bliss (Silva Omar/Faith Seed) ft. The Baptist And The Quokka (John Seed/Nadi Sinclair) & The Fox And The Soldier (Alexander Khaos/Jacob Seed)
Prompts: June – Pride, “I can’t get you out of my mind” and Relationship Reveal.
A warm breeze had swept over the Whitetail Mountains, reaching the open doors and windows of the St. Francis Veteran Centre, a morning prelude to a hot day ahead.
Fortunately, though the Montana summer often reached unbearably high temperatures, today seemed to promise a tolerable heat.
Jacob looked out from the balcony of the old hospital, arms crossed as he supervised his Chosen as they wandered the courtyard doing various activities; target practice, handling the judges, training recruits, stocking up supplied and other menial tasks meant to further the Project’s numbers, resources and armoury. Not a sign of weakness spotted in sight.
The eldest Seed turned his attention from them to the distant horizon, basking in the rays of the sun, exhaling a rare, satisfied sigh. Things seemed to be going according to his brother’s plan, at least ever since Palmer abandoned their alliance, which wasn’t much of a setback, considering the Armoury was close to completion anyway.
Ready to house a thousand warriors – those Chosen who’d proven they had what it took to protect the Family, whether it was now or in the New Eden. A legacy to be proud of, he’d been told. Jacob wouldn’t go that far, at least not yet, but he couldn’t deny to himself that… the feeling was close.
There shouldn’t have been anyway for this tranquil moment to be interrupted.
“Oh Jacob~!”
The man in question inhaled deeply, before exhaling slowly, holding on to the peace as the familiar voice behind him beckoned for his attention, refraining from reaching for his holster.
“You know what month it is, Jacob?” the distinctively southern accent of the grating voice pushed itself further into the back of Jacob’s skull, like racking knuckles against the door in a unique pattern.
Reminding himself, once again, that he can’t just gun down and cull his best soldier, the only worthy option to stand by his side, for the loss ridiculously outweighed the gains, Jacob kept his arms cross as he did the bare minimum of acknowledging his close confidant with a slight turn of his head.
Despite giving no answer to his question, his Chosen Extraordinaire decided to answer it himself, likely wearing a grin that rivalled John’s as he stated, “It’s Pride Month…”
Jacob remained silent, giving no reaction towards the month’s title. Not because he was confused, or uninformed, or disdainful, or a number of things that had to do with the connotations behind the month itself, but simply because he was waiting for this specifically irksome subordinate to get to the fucking point.
“You know what that means, Jacob…” he heard the voice creep closer, followed by methodical steps.
The phrasing behind his words were not posed as a question, that much Jacob had learned by now. And true to what his right hand knew, he did know what the month meant
“It means it’s opportune time for us to pick up new recruits!” Alexander Khaos declared behind him, causing Jacob to huff.
The ginger glanced behind him to stare down the grinning light brunette. Out of all the Chosen he picked out to train, he had the misfortune for having this one being the most coherent and skilled without the extreme loyalty.
For a while, the two remained like that. The short distance between them emanated an awkwardness which seeped into the air, and Alexander’s irritating grin began to falter into a thin mouthed neutrality as he added, “Orders from the Father.”
Jacob figured that to be the case.
Soon he returned his gaze back to the morning horizon; knowing that if his brother was too busy to make appearances at such events, then it’ll be up to him and John… and likely Faith, to go in his place. Most likely to Fall’s End, if prior years were to prove.
…It would probably be a good idea to take Alexander out. Let him stretch his legs, socialize with strangers, burn through all that gremlin energy so the herald wouldn’t have to deal with it when they returned to St. Francis.
The only downside was the event would require him to be standing around to oversee the recruitment process and ensure Alexander doesn’t compromise the Project’s values and rules.
…He’ll probably take McCalkin with him too; someone will need to get work done, especially if John takes Sinclair with him.
-----
John sat on the table stand’s top as he observed the parade, his beloved jacket occupying the seat as his blue eyes cooly monitored how his brothers and sisters set out to recruit the attendants to the Project.
Plenty of people who caught his eye held varying levels of intrigue, and of sins for him to uncover. The bonus was that many of men and women he saw were pleasing to the eyes, though he’d never admit that aloud lest someone (like his brothers) mistook that as a sign of temptation.
The day had been progressing slowly, but not without its fruits.
He couldn’t help but be impressed by the efforts put into the parade; over the course of the years he’s spent in Hope County, he’s witnessed these celebrations be challenged relentlessly by campaigns organized by rather narrow-minded individuals, like a certain wannabe senate candidate. Glancing about now, he couldn’t really see any sign of such naysayers.
He also couldn’t see where Nadi skipped off to either. He assumed she was recruiting converts, but he also knew she was quite… distractable, when blending in.
Especially so, now that she would be in the heart of the temptations of consumerism; the very root of her sin, Greed, that he’s spent almost a decade unburdening her from. He wouldn’t claim taking her here to be a test though, as she already had his full confidence.
It was merely a way to reaffirm her tolerance from the materialistic woes of corporations taking advantage of the creative and honest efforts of the parade to make a buck by displaying thinly veiled support.
He scowled at the thought of some faux smiling sponsor attempting to entice Nadi’s sin and pondered on the ways he could expose their vices and humiliate them for poisoning a sweet and passionate soul like Nadi’s.
But he let in a collected inhale and a gradual exhale, calming his flaring temper. He had to remind himself that Nadi could handle herself and had come a long way from the broken shell she’d once been.
Even if she were to fall, he’d do as he always had; pick her right back up from the depths of her shame, support her towards Atonement, and try again. Nadi held much promise, and he wouldn’t give her up after the years spent recovering her spirit.
He filed away his thoughts when he spotted a familiar ginger and brunette, as well as McCalkin, making their way over to his little stand.
“Couldn’t come any later, could you, brother?” John remarked with a smile, though it held no malice towards his oldest brother.
“Made it, didn’t I?” Jacob retorted back, observing the passersby before asking, “How’s progress?”
John slid off the table, choosing to stand alongside stone-faced brother, passing by Alexander and McCalkin as the two stood by the stand, filling him in, “Slow. I’ve got my men and women out selecting worthy converts, or letting the sinners know that despite preconceived notions, Eden’s Gate is welcome to all, regardless of difference, to those willing to attend a service.”
Jacob gave a nod, “Any bites?”
John was hesitant but gave a nod, “Somewhat. Most have strayed away from the stand, but Nadi and those I’ve sent out have attained a few interested marks, or so they’ve reported. Most seem focused on the celebration though.”
John noticed Jacob gazing out to the crowds, though specifically noticing his eyes narrowed on a few Fall’s End residents on the outskirts sending not-so subtle glares towards them, the stand and the project’s cross.
“Or perhaps the doubtful have spread enough lies to dissuade potential converts,” Jacob noted, and John didn’t disagree. Word of mouth had been quite the effective method used by the sinners to persecute Eden’s Gate and hindered their ability to sway more of the populace.
“It’ll be a slow process this year,” John muttered with a huff, Jacob merely humming in agreement.
A moment of comfortable silence lingered between the two as Alexander and McCalkin sorted out strategies behind them, though Jacob eventually spoke up.
“We seem to be absent of one other person,” Jacob stated, and John glanced at him with a raised brow before shortly realizing whom he was referring to.
John withheld a groan as he claimed, “We’re doing well-off as of now. Regardless of possible interferences, the two of us, my faithful, both Nadi and Alexander should be enough to reign in more converts. We don’t need her… wherever she is at the moment.”
Who he referred to was their “sister”; Faith, or rather Rachel, or rather the third young woman brought into their family because of how “faithful” she’d been in the Project’s beliefs.
And sure, John was willing to extend credit where credit was due; while the former two predecessors had been… nothing beyond present in their short run, the current one had solved the urgent issues with earlier versions of the Bliss (despite his grievances towards her use of it, John could not deny it made for effective sedatives), which he understood gave her enough brownie points to stay a while longer.
A while longer though then became several unbearable years where he had to play platitudes with her and had to keep his criticisms of her performances and methods to himself because the Father permitted it. Couldn’t even voice his concerns when she revealed her immunity towards the effects of the Bliss.
John could never stand the falseness of her role – could not stand as his brother showered a total stranger in excessively unwarranted praise, while he’s the one out here, pushing himself to strive for the project’s betterment, and yet is chastised for the mistakes he couldn’t see he was making-
John took a breath. He was getting too worked up, which he can’t afford here. And he’ll especially not let Faith and her fake smiles (hiding that infuriating smugness!) get the better of him today.
At least Jacob didn’t appear fooled by her performances. Though John believed it was more out of apathy from sitting through two others before Rachel’s induction.
Jacob grunted, before replying, “As much as I question it, she’s been allowed to stay longer than the others ever had. She’s been useful, I’ll give her that much.”
“You only say that because her strands of Bliss helped your conditioning process and the creation of the Judges,” John pointed out, causing Jacob to shrug, “If it weren’t for her hand with the Bliss, she’d just be like her predecessors.”
“Whining about it isn’t going to help John,” Jacob chided, cocking his head over to the stand, “Now come on, we’ve got work to do.”
John merely gave a light grumble as they turned towards the stand to whatever recruitment flyers Alexander and McCalkin had compiled.
The brothers looked them over. There were two kinds, and to John, they just seemed to be a kind of unoriginal copy of the military’s propaganda, and a youth scout’s group meant to be given to parents. Jacob seemed mildly satisfied, so perhaps John just wasn’t as attuned to how his recruitments worked.
“Alright,” Jacob spoke, earning him Alexander and McCalkin’s attention, “McCalkin, you take the youth program flyers deeper into the parade, and as for you Alexander, take the regular recruitment flyers and stay within my sight.”
McCalkin seemed relieved by her assigned post (John wondered if there was still doubt tainting her soul, like he suspected Alex still had), while Alexander pouted but ultimately wasn’t surprised. Neither was John; Alexander may be one of Jacob’s greatest soldiers, but John knew the signs of a faithless wretch. And so did Jacob.
If John was in Jacob’s shoes, he’d have fed Alexander to the Judges. Ultimately, he had no say in his eldest brother’s matters, and would merely keep an eye out on Alexander, should he attempt something… unsavoury towards his brother.
McCalkin took her fliers and strolled past the brothers, earning what John assumed was a reassuring pat from Alexander, and disappeared into the crowd ahead.
Which only left John and Jacob with Alexander.
As Alexander went to depart, he paused and stretched his lips into the friendliest smile possible (though even to John, it still seemed too forced and unnatural despite several classes trying to help the man) as he went up to meet an approaching figure.
“Hello good, sir,” Alexander greeted the stranger with excessive enthusiasm, at least in John’s opinion, “Isn’t it such a wonderous day?”
John was about to tune the men out (Alexander was Jacob’s responsibility after all) but froze upon hearing the other man’s recognizable voice and accent as he replied, “Oh, sì. I cannot disagree there, mio amico. For my first time, it has certainly been an experience.”
Jacob seemed to have recognized the man as well, much to John’s relief, and his face hardened into stoicism as he listened to Alexander’s conversation, “Great to hear it, sir. Say, would you perhaps be interested in carrying arms with us over at St. Francis? We welcome comradery and grit, guaranteeing no judgements and offering other benefits beside a sense of belonging.”
…John slowly glanced to Jacob, wondering if the ginger even tried making the effort of a script for his soldiers to practice with.
Momentarily distracted, he didn’t notice that the familiar man had peeked behind Alexander to get a good look at the brothers until Jacob uncrossed his arms and started approaching the two.
“That sounds rather interesting,” the response returned John’s attention back towards the conversation, “But I’m afraid I’m not a gun person. I’m also too frail, too old, and too weak to commit to such activities. My priorities lie elsewhere.”
Before Alexander could salvage the conversation, the man side stepped past him and met Jacob’s approach.
“Ah, Jacob… and John,” Paul greeted with less enthusiasm, head tilted as he examined both of the brothers, “I wouldn’t have expected either of you to be attending such a public event; not one like this, especially.”
John cocked a brow up, approaching to stand by his brother’s side as he levelled Paul – donned in his yellow and black three-piece attire (in spite of the hot weather), his dyed blonde hair hiding the natural light brown (though not the roots on his side), pale hazel eyes watching their movements, the brace clasped to his left leg to stabilize his balance – with a polite grin, his eyes trying to not betray how insulted he felt by the older man.
“What gave you that impression, Yellowjack?” John inquired, crossing his arms in front of the other man. Alexander hung behind Paul, observing from behind, especially with Paul’s arms clasped behind his back.
“I claim to be no expert on the ins and outs, and values and beliefs, of Eden’s Gate,” Paul stated, clicking his tongue, “But from my experience, your type aren’t as… welcoming, as you advertise.”
John and Jacob glanced towards one another, though Jacob didn’t make a reply. Probably thought it wasn’t his place to. So it left John to dispel such egregious presumptions.
“I’ll have you know, Yellowjack, that we at the Project at Eden’s Gate do not hold biases towards others personal attributes, whether it be gender, sexuality or race,” John proclaimed, gesturing towards their cross, “We do not care of your status, or your background, or your past; only that you stand by our side to cross Eden’s Gate.”
Paul regarded John curiously, letting out a quizzical hum, and asking, “But such standings have… certain conditions to be met, correct?”
John furrowed his brows, nodding. Jacob butted in before John could begin pitching again, “Effort must be met with a willingness to sacrifice.”
Alexander’s expression shifted to one of deep thought, though John didn’t pay him any further mind as he discerned Paul’s reaction.
Paul did not appear pleased by the mention of that word; his gaze steeled, quirked up lips thinning into something pursed and upturned.
John could tell he wasn’t willing to hear anything more, with his next words being, “I find the very notion of a cause’s use of sacrifice to be a cop-out method to justify the prolonging of unnecessary suffering, whether it is out of capitalizing on it, enacting martyrdom or some zealous devotion. I could never give up what I value most. Not for anything. Not after...”
Paul didn’t finish the sentence, his words trailing as his eyes wandered off to some space or another. He seemed to be reflecting on something, a behaviour John has noticed Jacob does sometimes.
“And yet, without suffering,” John added, earning Paul’s attention, “People will be burdened by the pain of sin. If they cannot accept that pain, how do they ever hope to be free? Only by experiencing it, confessing it, can they reach atonement.”
Paul seemed to ponder his words with more consideration that John was surprised the older man would be willing to give but shortly shook his head when coming up with an answer. Instead of voicing his discrepancy, he merely said, “Agree to disagree, John.”
With that discussion out of the way, and with Paul still present, glancing at the crowd nearby, John inquired, “And what brings you here, Yellowjack? In your own words, I wouldn’t have expected someone like you to attend such an event.”
It was a white lie. John could absolutely see and expected a man like Paul; stylish, flamboyant, always ogling Jacob, to attend an event like this, which made it more surprising that John’s never seen him around over the years.
Shockingly, Paul didn’t point out John’s little fib, instead answering with earnest honesty, “I usually don’t, admittedly. Maybe twice before I’ve attended, but it’s not something I’ve been inclined to do annually. As much as the sight brings me a bit of… joy, I suppose. Where I’m from, if we ever pulled something off like this, well, the punishment would be severe. I guess you could say I’m still stuck back there…”
Paul fell silent. John hadn’t expected an answer like that, though he made sure to file it away for later. The more they learned about Paul, the better they could approach the more interesting person whom he shields.
“I thought you said this was your first time attending, Mr Yellowjack?” Alexander pointed out with a drawl, and John found himself almost glad the Chosen had caught that detail.
Paul lost his solemn expression and gave Alexander a wide and endearing grin, “Well, it’s my first time attending this event, this month, this year.”
John and Jacob glanced to one another, unimpressed by the deceitful omission.
“So what’s brought you here then?” Alexander pushed, arms crossed as he gestured towards the crowd, “Something catch your eye? Or… someone?”
As Alexander wagged his eyes at the older man coquettishly, much to John’s chagrin and, from how he narrowed his eyes at his soldier, Jacob’s irritation. Paul waves him off though, deflecting Alexander’s overt display as he shook his head, “Oh no, I’m just here with my figlia and her partner.”
That caught the brothers’ attention.
“P-pardon?” John sputtered out, with Jacob straightening at attention. John cleared his throat, hoping to push down any stammering as he asked, “Did you just say, “partner”?”
From the time he’s known the deputy, and the background checks he’s tried to dig up about her and her father, the topic of sexual or romantic partnerships never came up. She didn’t seem to be the kind of person to have time to hold down a relationship.
At least, John had hoped for that to be the case. He’d been aware that she was key to his salvation – to the family’s salvation – and he’d been coming up with ways to convince her to join the project and out of the Sheriff’s department. The key route John had aimed for was to gain her trust and start a friendship.
But he was also prepared to capture her heart if the opportunity presented itself. He wasn’t so keen on that plan, and neither had his brothers either, but he knew when it came to the Collapse, all advantages had to be up for consideration. He had thought the only obstacle to these plans had been the deputy’s stubbornness and Paul’s rotten influence.
This threw a wrench into such plans.
Paul merely nodded in answer, though a tug of his lips indicated he was withholding one of his devious smirks, “Oh, yes. It’s a rather recent affair. A couple months they’ve been at it now.”
John was sure to keep himself from expressively seething in front of Paul, from showing how displeased he was with this unexpected news. Although, John did feel an odd relief of weight which seemingly lift from his shoulders, in spite of how annoyed he was by such a drawback.
The odd relief only turned to a light ease when Paul pointed towards the stands near the centrepiece of the parade. And it grew when John managed to spot a familiar short blonde talking with someone as they browsed the stands.
The sight of the short pixie cut which belonged to Nadi had relaxed John, glad to see she was doing fine, despite the low stakes of this entire outing.
His mood soured when he noticed the last person he’d want in his line of sight.
Of course she’d be here, John internally groaned, eyes narrowed on the familiar white dress of his “sister”, and his jaw tightened upon realizing she was the one Nadi was speaking with.
It discomforted John with how close Faith was to Nadi without him being at least an arm’s length away from his most faithful lieutenant. He didn’t like that Faith was allowed to speak with Nadi at all.
Nadi turned towards their direction, and she waved at him with bubbly joy, earning Faith’s attention towards where the brothers and Paul were. John reeled back the scowl he wanted to throw at Faith’s back but replaced it with a sincere grin as he returned a wave back, focused on his trusted companion.
Both women began to separate from the crowd and made their way towards the brothers.
Nadi received quite a warm welcome from most of the men, including Alexander, though Faith only received a sincere one from Paul.
“Bonjour John!” Nadi greeted ecstatically, before turning to the rest of the men present and giving a toned-down greeting in respect, “Bonjour messieurs!”
While Alexander and Paul gave Nadi an explicit acknowledgement with smiles and greetings in return, Jacob gave the bare minimum of an acknowledging nod to her. John came closer to the blonde, latching on to the side of her shoulder as he kept himself between her and Faith with an enthusiastic grin of his own.
“Ah, Nadi. I’m glad to see you’ve been enjoying yourself,” he told her, subtly guiding her away from his “sister”, asking, “How went the recruitments? Nobody gave you any trouble, did they?”
Nadi puffed out her cheeks and blew out an exaggerated huff as she rolled her eyes, “If someone was bold enough to try anything, I’d kicked them out onto the curve, John.”
Her expression shifted to something prouder, her brown eyes twinkling as she told him, “But if you must know, I’ve gotten quite a number of converts interested in attending your sermons.”
An appraising smile replaced the faux grin he hid his worries behind, “Fantastic as always, my dear.”
Nadi shared returned a smile back before she bashfully looked away from him, “Aw, don’t tease me now, John. Faith helped some too.”
John was about to openly disregard whatever contribution Nadi believes Faith had which somehow overshadowed her own, however, Faith beat him to it.
“You were doing quite well before I arrived, Nadi,” Faith stated, a smile plastered on her face like a sticky note, “I’m certain you would have continued to do well even without my presence.”
John gave a slight glance to the younger woman, blue eyes narrowed even as Nadi stammered out gratitude towards his “sister”.
Looking her over as he tried to figure out what game she seemed to be playing, he noticed an impossibility that made him blink not once, not twice, but three to five times.
Am I high… or is she actually wearing shoes?
More accurately, Faith seemed to be wearing sandals. For once in the entire time he’s known her, he was bearing witness to Faith utilizing footwear.
“Oh!” John’s baffled attention returned to Nadi as she remembered something, digging into one of her fanny packs to bring out what seemed to be two handsewn bracelets. Nadi extended her clutched hand out to John as she quickly explained, “I almost forgot. A mutual friend helped with these.”
Inspecting the bracelets – which seemed to be a menagerie of string sewn tightly together into a bracelet – in Nadi’s hand, John noticed how identical they looked; both sewn in a similar style, and both the colours of a deep blue, purple and pink, most noticeable in the coiled horizontal segment.
He feels like he knows these colours…
“…What are these, Nadi?”
Nadi hesitated before she explained, “Their bracelets that act as good luck charms! I thought they looked neat.”
John hummed, still looking at the two accessories, “And why do you have two?”
“Well, I thought you’d like one too,” Nadi elaborates, almost receding her hand as she murmurs, “If you don’t want yours I’ll keep it…”
“No, no, my dear,” John intercepted, his heart seeming to stutter as his fingers brushed against Nadi’s while taking one of the offered bracelets, “I’m flattered. T-that’s quite thoughtful of you.”
John felt heat rise to his face as he held onto the accessory, blaming the mild heat of the sun. He gave Nadi a small smile, though he was unsure whether it was habit or not.
Nadi seemed satisfied.
Then John remembered her words.
“What did you mean by “mutual friend”?” John finally asked once it came back to him.
As if summoned, a familiar figure strolled up and casually snuck an arm around Faith’s waist, laying a head on her shoulder from behind as she announced her presence to the group.
“Hola mi querida,” Silva Omar, the deputy at the centre of the Father’s vision, told the shorter woman, her face comfortably close to Faith’s own as she greeted everyone else, “Hola to all of you too.”
The sudden appearance of the dark-haired woman, in a casual fit rather than her uniform, surprised the likes of Jacob and Alexander, and even John himself, though Nadi and Paul seemed to be the only ones unsurprised by the deputy’s presence, nor at all shocked by how eagerly Faith presses herself into the deputy’s arm.
John also noticed that the deputy wore a similar bracelet to what Nadi had around her wrist and one which John still had in his hand. Though instead of the sewn string holding the same blue, purple and pink colours as both himself and Nadi did, the colours on Silva’s retained a dark orange, lighter orange, white, a lightish pink and lastly a dark rose.
“Hi flor de loto,” Faith responded – when did she start learning Spanish?! – to Silva, bringing her fingers up to caress – and when did Silva allow anyone outside her father (especially Faith of all people) to be as intimately physical as that?! – along the deputy’s jaw, much to the puzzlement of their audience.
John observed as Silva seemed to readily accept Faith’s light touches with a small smile that almost looked dopey, which he found out of place on the deputy. He’s never seen her so relaxed, nor so keen on engaging in such an open display of affection…
When had THAT begun?
“Well, I should head off,” Paul stated aloud, checking his wrist for a non-existent watch, turning to both Silva and Faith, neither of whom hadn’t separated from the other much to John’s growing confusion, telling them, “I’ll leave you lovely donne to yourselves.”
Faith merely smiled politely in reply, though Silva straightened a bit as she asked, “Are you sure you want to leave, padre? There’s still plenty to do before this festival ends…”
Paul waved a hand as he shook his head gently, telling his daughter, “Oh, I’m certain, piccolo boa. ‘Sides, I don’t want to be impeding on your outing any further than I have. Not to mention…”
Paul patted his left leg, gesturing to the brace around it, “…I’ve exerted my muscles for the day. I’ll see you both back at the house.”
“I’ll require to drop a visit over to the compound, but I’ll come by later tonight,” Faith informed the faux blonde, much to Jacob and John’s puzzlement. Or at least John’s. Though, his bafflement on the casualness between Faith and both the father and daughter did make way to another thought.
Wait…
“That’s fine by me. Enjoy your date, ragazze,” Paul said as he turned his back away from the group, barely giving a glance and wave goodbye to the brothers as he stated, “So long, fellas. Spero sinceramente che i vostri crani vengano schiacciati come acini d'uva.”
Even while his brother and their lieutenants acknowledged Paul’s goodbye with a reply of some kind, John couldn’t focus on Paul’s leave. His eyes had widened as he processed Paul’s words to the two women and what he mentioned earlier.
No, he thought as his gaze settled on both Silva and Faith still as uncomfortably close as ever, It can’t be possible…
The horrid realization settled on his chest as he started to consider the possibility that mysterious “partner” Paul had mentioned was no stranger to them at all…
Unfortunately, someone noticed his silent distress.
“You alright there, John?” Silva had asked without a tinge of worry in her tone, head tilted to the side as it almost leaned against Faith’s own, “You seem a little off.”
John swiftly recovered himself, putting on the friendliest grin he could muster as he replied, “Just spaced out a little. How about you, deputy? Are you feeling alright?”
If what he’s seeing is true, which he kind of hoped it wasn’t, then there were two possibilities: either Faith had seduced the Deputy (which… how?), or blissed both her and Paul (seems the most likely). Or perhaps a combination of the two (not impossible).
Silva raised a dark brow at John, her grey eyes – colour still dull as ever, no trace of a green tint in them – regarding him before she answered, “Si, I’m fine. I’d go as far to say I’m feeling quite great right now.”
John caught how she and Faith shared a glance with the other, Silva’s oddly tranquil while Faith’s seemed giddy. Like something out of some high school romance series, where the main couple had yet to reveal their relationship to their friends and think their doing a great job at hiding it despite being obvious.
Of course, that made John even more suspicious; he’d never take Silva as the type to engage in such dramatics. He knew her to be a very blunt and upfront individual. This was quite uncharacteristic behaviour to him.
Jacob also seemed suspicious of the two, observing their interactions, though John could only hope it was because his eldest brother noticed a trick of Faith’s that he himself couldn’t see just yet.
“Out of uniform, deputy?” Jacob decided to point out, which did earn John’s attention, though only briefly when came Silva’s response.
“It’s my day off. Decided to make the most of it,” Silva told them, her gaze returning to Faith when she finished, earning a giggle from the shorter woman.
John couldn’t discern what trick Faith managed to pull to… have her be delighted in her presence. Could it be a new strain of Bliss? A viable possibility, though John couldn’t see any of the tics that gave away someone affected under the substance.
He began to wonder if Faith had just conducted a more passive strain when Jacob decided to ask, “Mind elaborating?”
Silva turned her gaze to Jacob, head tilting as if in confusion, but the gesture did not match her dry tone nor the small smirk as she replied, “I don’t think there’s anything to elaborate on here, Jacob.”
Faith seemed to stifle a giggle as Jacob merely rolled his eyes at Silva’s lack of cooperation in their exchange, so John decided to step in.
“Well there is one thing I believe you can elaborate on,” John caught Silva and Faith’s attention, as well as his brother and their respective lieutenants, but the pair were more important. He had to know. He needed confirmation; something he hoped wouldn’t be true.
With all eyes on him, John stated, “A particularly chatty bird told us you’ve recently engaged yourself into a relationship of some kind. A romantic one from how he described it. Anything to say about that?”
The reaction John thought he’d receive from Silva upon mentioning that detail – ranging from denial to hesitance – became non-existent when Silva immediately nodded her head as she responded, “Si, I am. Why do you ask?”
John was a little offput by her flippant attitude – Faith what have you done this woman?! – but pushed further on, “Call it intrigue, my dear. I hadn’t pegged you as someone to enter one with how busy you are. Would you be obliged to tell us about it?”
At the precipice of truth now, John could only repeat the following words: Please Lord, not her. Please Lord, not her. Please Lord, not her. Pleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleasepleaseplease-
Silva shared glance with Faith, who slipped her own hand around Silva’s waist as they pressed lightly together, and with light smiles exchanged between the pair, Silva answered while cocking her head to Faith, “Ask her. She always tells it best.”
…Shit.
Faith seemed to speak, but John couldn’t hear anything. Anyone who was observing him from his outside would only see a mask of contemplation, or even calm.
Inside, though, he was holding back all temptation to express his irritation, his disdain, towards Rachel. Because of course she’d try something. OF COURSE, she’d try to one-up him in someone way to get their brother’s approval.
He’d thought Silva to be as alert as her father always seemed to be… though John couldn’t find fault in her for not suspecting anything about that imposter of a sister. Rachel always had a way with her words, and performed her role frustratingly well – it’s why she lasted longer than her predecessors ever did – to the point the Father doesn’t bat an eye of concern whenever she requests converts or materials.
So, John accepted that even Silva could fall for whatever honey trap Rachel presented herself as. But he couldn’t see Paul falling for it, and there would be no way he wouldn’t be weary of whatever nefarious scheme she’s concocted.
Which means she’s developed some strain of Bliss to keep one or both father and daughter complacent to whatever illusions she’s feeding them.
John couldn’t possibly see how she could have gotten his brother’s approval for this.
“Has the Father approved of this?” he heard Jacob inquire, forcing John out of stewing inside his head.
Rachel merely giggled in reply, unfortunately informing both brothers, “Of course! Our brother is quite aware of our partnership and had given his blessing in advance.”
“En cualquier caso, la aprobación no habría cambiado mucho,” Silva grumbled into Rachel’s light brown hair, which the shorter woman seemed to pick up on.
…Perhaps I should take up some Spanish again, John pondered to himself, adding, And Italian too, if only to understand how insulted I should feel by Paul’s words.
Disregarding the thought for the time being, though he wouldn’t admit it until it was just him and Nadi alone, John felt a lividness and a hint of confusion. The Father gave his blessing? If that was the case than that meant his brother saw it necessary to employ all measures to bring their deputy closer to their convert.
So why hadn’t he supported my proposal all those months ago?
He looked to Rachel, then to Silva. He wondered for a moment. Had the Father suspected them to be incompatible?
He decided to get to the bottom of it.
“So, Deputy, we’ve heard Faith’s side of the story, but how about yours? What had you so captivated by our dear… sister?” he asked, watching every twitch of muscle on her face. He caught a glimpse of Rachel narrowing her eyes at him but swiftly returned to a pleasant mask.
Just as before, Silva didn’t hesitate to answer, “Well, after meeting at the barbeque, I kept crossing paths with her on my daily outings. We struck up conversation and got in the habit of planning an outing once or twice a week together. Usually it’d take a lot longer for me to fall for a señora, but we found we had some things in common, and I can’t help but admit I wasn’t a little captivated by what those beautiful green eyes were hiding.”
A slight blush rested on Rachel’s face, though John was convinced she somehow learned to blush on command rather than it be something genuine. Though Silva’s mention of señoras, which John was positively certain translated to “ladies” or “women” in English, did clue him in as to why his older brother would have rejected his proposition; he likely recognized Silva’s preferences, which might explain why he approved of Rachel’s pursuit.
Though it relieved John he wouldn’t have to force himself in pretending to pursue the deputy’s heart, for the sake of his family’s salvation of course, it did peeve him that Rachel was ingraining herself further into the Father’s good graces.
Silva was undeterred as she continued, “I found her cleverness the most attractive aspect. And her passion for her projects had me charmed. So I popped the question and found my feelings were mutually shared by her.”
…John realized that perhaps he should have at least tried listening to Rachel’s story beforehand so he could compare it with Silva’s perspective and file away any contradictions. He’d have to ask Nadi to repeat Rachel’s words back to him. He wouldn’t waste time asking Jacob, considering his eldest brother liked to keep his cards close.
Nadi did seem to be unaware of the wider implications of what Rachel’s hold over the deputy meant, as she responded with, “Well congratulations to you both. I sure wish you luck in your new endeavour!”
Both Silva and Rachel gave their thanks to Nadi, and John couldn’t help but be a little envious by both women’s ability to take on their barrage of questions without hesitation and without faltering in upholding whatever deception Rachel weaved up.
It’s like they’re untouchable against whatever personal questions we could come up with, John noted.
Almost on cue, Alexander seemed to decide he didn’t want to end a conversation that he wasn’t apart of with a level of grace and normality, “So when’s the wedding-?”
The question wasn’t even finished when Silva and Rachel looked to each other with a varying degree of panic written across their faces, with Silva cringing, like she’d heard the same question beforehand.
…Well, by now it’s to be expected the only exception would be Alexander’s innate ability to ruin the mood. I don’t think the world was prepared for Alexander either.
While Rachel stammered, Silva swiftly checked her bracelet and stated, “Oh, would you look at the time, we better head on to more of the festival’s activities before it closes. We’re on a date, after all.”
Both John and Jacob watched as the apparent couple made their escape, disappearing into the crowds of the parade, Alexander seemingly satisfied by yet again ending the conversation with an awkward air.
They were left in a small silence as the brothers stewed over the revelations of that day, though John’s attention was brought back onto Jacob when his eldest brother broke the silence. One would expect Jacob to say something deductive or even a helpful directive in this horrifying epiphany that their “sister” had gotten one step further into solidifying her place by their brother’s side… and yet…
“Is Faith wearing sandals?” he finally questions, much to John’s disbelief and Nadi’s amusement.
Alexander spoke next, much to John’s disappointment, “You know, I’m glad you pointed that out. Because I was fully convinced I’d somehow been hallucinating from Bliss for a moment.”
-------
Night came for the Yellowjack-Omar household, the festival long since ended. Though that didn’t mean Silva’s day had ended just yet.
She was preparing a fine dinner in the kitchen for herself and one other. She was filling wine glasses when she heard Paul opening the front door. She guessed from the greeting being exchanged that her expectant guest had arrived.
“Benvenuto, Faith!” she heard her padre’s voice exclaim with much enthusiasm. It relieved Silva to know that in spite of Faith’s ties with Eden’s Gate, it was apparent he didn’t disapprove of her choice in partner.
“Hello Paul-! Uhm,” Silva heard her amor’s voice pause, before asking, “Is that a shovel?”
“Oh sì. I’m going out for a graveyard shift, you see,” Paul explained, and though she couldn’t see him, Silva could visualize he had twirled his shovel to rest over his shoulder, “Going to fill some holes tonight.”
“…but don’t you work as a beekeeper?”
“Sì, I do.”
An awkward pause settled between the two, though even her padre’s words brought Silva to a stop in preparing the dish for tonight.
“…Okay,” came Faith’s reply, and Silva heard shuffling as her amor entered the house, “You have fun with that.”
“Not as much fun as you ragazze will be having, I’m sure,” Paul responded casually, the weight of his steps on the wooden floor going fainter as he crossed the front door.
“Try not to get rowdy, Silva,” Paul called out from the front before the sound of the door shut closed, indicating his leave.
Silva rolled her eyes at his closing words as she went and stirred the pot some more, smiling as she heard Faith’s approaching footsteps.
Sure enough, Faith’s hands wrapped around Silva’s midriff, the shorter woman’s forehead just able to rest against the back of the deputy’s neck.
“You alright, amor?” Silva asked, knowing that today had been… a risk.
“Yeah,” Faith replied, exhaling as she added, “Cat’s now out of the bag, is all.”
Silva hummed in response, moving her free hand down to lay atop the ones clasped over her stomach.
“Are there any problems I should come to expect?” Silva inquired. She was not foolish to believe that her life would remain stagnant in the comfortability she’d come to expect merely because she was dating Faith.
Faith gave her answer, “Well no… although expect invitations to sermons and family dinners. My brothers will likely insist you come live closer to the Project’s properties. I’d also expect John to start an investigation to make sure I haven’t blissed you. Knowing Jacob, he’d believe you’re taking advantage of our relationship for nefarious intentions.”
Silva paused in her stirring, asking, “Correct me if I’m wrong, but would he be the kind of older brother to believe one such nefarious intention be corrupting his little sister’s “purity” as I’ve read from my novelas?”
Faith snorted, shaking her head, “To John, maybe. But I’m not a concern to Jacob.”
Silva nodded, mixing the mince of the meatballs with the red of the tomato sauce. The aromatic smell was stronger now, the albondigas almost ready.
“That looks fantastic,” Faith murmured, glimpsing over her shoulder to catch a sight of the dish, “You never fail to impress me with your culinary skills.”
Silva chuckled, “You know what they say: “A way through a person’s heart is through their stomach”. It’s how Paul won over Obadiah.”
Faith hummed, a smile on her lips as she said, “Maybe you can teach me to cook these dishes…”
Silva pretended to ponder the though as she playfully responded, “Well, I could do that. But then you’d have no need for me and my “impressive culinary skills” as you call it.”
Faith playfully pouted as she stated, “Your cooking isn’t all I love about you.”
Silva paused stirring her spatula as she curiously asked, “Oh? What other qualities attract your interest in me?”
Faith was swift in claiming, “You make for a great quarrel.”
Silva snorted as she huffed, continuing to tend to their dinner, “Do I now?”
Faith only nodded against her back, continuing, “But I think your stubbornness in holding onto your principles deserves an honourable mention. As well as how well you spoil me.”
Silva preferred the term “ensuring you’re loved and appreciated”, but she let it slide for now.
“There’s so more about you I could go on about,” Faith tells her, playfulness transferring into something more serious, “It’s like I can’t get you out of my mind.”
Silva took a moment to glance at Faith’s close form, feeling the truth of her words through the possessive grasp of her arms. She was certain Faith’s words rang true, and her feelings even more so.
“Nor can I,” she warmly admits to her amor, tending to the sizzling of the meat.
[A/n] Sorry for not keeping the promise of smut again, but I got one planned for September. Kidfic in July next guys!
Now onto the Hazbin Hotel songs for The UnTitledverse, Life, Despair & Monsters and one song centered around Arraknis and the Arachnoids in regards to their envy and hatred towards humanity, and a WIP Wednesday for The Silver Chronicles. You can listen and read below the cut:
First up is more on Smile Tunes and more on Samuel Who's side of the story helping Charlie with the Hazbin Hotel alongside the other staff. Samuel is like 50-50 on the whole redemption thing since he knows that some people like Angel Dust don't deserve Hell but people like Alastor definitely do (also he has complex feelings towards "redemption to get into Heaven" since he himself is barred from Heaven for like eternity, not out of any wrong doing, but because his murderer, Edward Carmine, didn't take the ritual he was conducting seriously and unintentionally sent Samuel's soul straight to Hell and barring him from Heaven, instead of the original plan which was Edward sacrifices Samuel's soul so he himself can get a one-way ticket straight to Heaven or be barred from Hell for eternity). Samuel pretty much follows Charlie everywhere and acts as a younger/older adoptive brother (ageing gets weird in Hell), but their dynamic is like "she's the passionate dreamer and he's the guy that uses the fancy sometimes political words to sell the dream" and add Vaggie and you get the additional "call out the opposition's BS while keeping the dreamer grounded". This side of the plot for Smile Tunes is to prove to Heaven that redemption can work before the next Extermination; and what better way than to send one of their apparently fallen/lost exorcists (Kingsley) back to them along with some redeemed sinners. Though Kingsley is noticeably a little different from a regular exorcist as both Vaggie and Samuel come to figure out...
[CW: Mentions of violence and sexual themes]
"I can do this, somehow I know it
I'll get Heaven behind my plans ("Charlie, hold on.")
There's just no way I could blow it
Not in this once-in-a-lifetime chance ("It's just a meeting.")
To change their minds and touch their hearts
Or whatever angels have ("This could be bad.")
Cheer up, Vaggie
This could be swell
Something tells me that today will be a happy day in Hell!"
"Okay, but just don't sing to them."
"That bitch is halfway down the street."
"Is she-?"
"Oh, she's dancin'."
"Ugh, no..."
"There's a warm fuzzy feeling that wafts through the air
Every street so revealing, it's hard not to stare
It's a realm so appealing, it beats anywhere
If you don't mind the smell
It's a happy day in Hell!"
In Life, Despair & Monsters, sometime during the midway point, there's a conflict between two antagonistic groups; the Ruins of the Midnight Rise, the main antagonistic force of this series led by Sir Enigma Malvolio and his fucked-up science fair rejects, and the Occult, the secondary antagonistic force comprised of undead magicians and magic-using zealots determined to bring back the Kin (reality benders who were akin to Gods) lead by a lich named Aggravor. They both are an issue towards the protagonists, although both Malvolio's Midnight Rise and Aggravor's chapter of the Occult are rivals to each other; one former a symbol of progress and the future (albeit to unethical degrees) and the latter focused on tradition and the past. The song below pretty much sums up the relationship between these two groups, albeit it would have been Malvolio's progress winning rather than Aggravor's stagnated approach.
"Is Aggravor as strong as he purports?
Or is it based on his support?
He'd be powerless without the other zealots he's amassed!" *
"Oh, please!"
"And here's the sugar on the cream
He asked me to support** his team!"
"Hold on!"
"I said no, and now he's pissy
That's the tea!"
"You old-timey prick, I'll show you suffering!"
"Uh oh, the TV is buffering."
"I'll destroy you, you little-"
"I'm afraid you've lost your signal
Let's begin
I'm gonna make you wish that I'd stayed gone, tune on in
When I'm done, your status quo will know its race is run
Oh, this will be fun!"
"Fuck!"
[* The Occult is made up of a lot of zealots, not just a few individuals with Aggravor leading this chapter of the Occult.
** The Midnight Rise would never join the Occult and the Occult would never want the Midnight Rise to join them, especially since Aggravor's in charge and has a strict definition of the characteristics they seek for in applicants. However, Aggravor would most definitely have sort out Malvolio for support in the Occult's endeavours, believing himself to understand what a Displacement like Malvolio would want (due to his own experiences with the Occult's founder, the Arcane Urias), however, gets proven very wrong very quickly].
In my LORE, the Arachnoids are beings from another dimension that were called by the Omniscience (basically the living will of the uni/multiverse) to help it expand. The Arachnoids made several sacrifices to enter the realm of the Omniscience such as replacing all their flesh with technology (given the realm of the Omniscience had gravity which crushed the Arachnoids as soon as they crossed the border between dimensions) and straying from their pacifistic roots (especially when building the Exterminators). The Archnoids utilized the Omniscience's power and helped it create worlds and structures and whatnot. They were pretty much the Omniscience's little helpers that built pretty much every natural force and element there was. Until the Omniscience learned to do so by itself, eventually doing what the Arachnoids could never do; which was create life (the Eldritch which were basically the Omniscience's children, and humanity + animals and stuff). The Arachnoids were surprised and curious and wanted to replicate this by making their own life... which resulted in the "Lost Ones" and the "Old Ones" who were swiftly abandoned. It wasn't until they discovered energy from a creature known as a "Paragon" which they utilized to create "the Kin", reality benders and reality-warpers that were the drafts for what would eventually become "the Old Gods" (until those were replaced by "the New Gods" after an incident involving Olympus warring with the other Old Gods). However, it wasn't an event known as the "Extermination Purge Wars" (a conflict that involved a vanished universe, Discord becoming "the Mad Kin of Carnage", and the Arachnoids' use of the Exterminators to wipe out around four generations of Kin). Due to the lack of explanation for such extreme action, especially to the Eldritch, Old Gods and the Bronze Era of the Time Bureau Authority, the Arachnoids were banished from the Omniscience's realm, and were forced back to their own home dimension (with the Exterminators and Boss Series deactivated and locked away in some dimensional pocket prisons/tombs). The Arachnoids have hated humanity for a long, long time, due to the fact that humanity is "important" to the function of the Omniscience while the Arachnoids basically built everything that allowed the Omniscience to become what it is today. Arraknis did not take his species banishment well, and has made plans for vengeance and to prove everyone wrong that the Arachnoids are the superior beings, and not humanity. I believe this song exemplifies this well:
"Let me stop you right there, save us all precious time ("Oh, okay?")
If what you're suggesting is letting them climb
Up the ladder, oh, they'd rather cross the Pearly Gates? ("Well, um...")
Sorry, sweetie, but there's no defyin' their fates
'Cause Hell is forever, whether you like it or not
Had their chance to behave better, now they boil in a pot
'Cause the rules are black and white
There's no use in tryin' to fight it
They're burnin' for their lives until we kill 'em again ("Okay, but-!")
Just try to chillax, babe, you're wasting your breath
Did I hear you imply that they don't deserve death?
Are they winners? Are they sinners?
'Cause it's cut and dry ("Well actually, if you take a look-")
Fair is fair, an eye for an eye
And when all's said and done ("Said and done!")
There's the question of fun
And for those of us with divine ordainment
Extermination is entertainment
Bow-now-now-now-now, guitar solo, fuck yeah!
Hell is forever, whether you like it or not
Had their chance to behave better now they boil in a pot ("Where did all you come from?"*)
'Cause the rules are black and white
There's no use in tryin' to fight it
They're burnin' for their lives until we kill 'em again
Fuckin' Hell is forever and it's meant to suck a lot
So give up your dumb endeavor, 'cause you don't have a shot
Long as I got your attention
I guess I should probably mention
That we've made the determination
To move up the next extermination!" ("What?!")
[*Whoever's speaking probably just got freaked out by the amount of Arachnoids that there really were in the room]
First snippet is of my FC5 WIP Oh, I Love It And I Hate It At The Same Time. You And I Drink The Poison From The Same Vine. Hiding All Of Our Sins From The Daylight... or as I like to shorten it as, the Daylight AU, because David Kushner's song encapsulates Silva and Paul's relationship. In this AU, essentially Paul escaped with Silva (instead of being separated during the Tumultite Massacre where Silva ends up with her sister and daughter like in her canon story). So the experience leaves them scarred together and worsens their codependency with one another. Silva's a deputy and Paul is a wasp "beekeeper". The Seeds want Silva to themselves but Paul is a significant obstacle in the way:
Jacob shifted on the couch, still stiff, still cautious. Beside him, Joseph was as calm as ever, patiently awaiting their host to return from the cabinet behind them.
It took all of Jacob's self-control to not just take a glance behind him to know what exactly Paul was getting, but given how observant the older man was, he decided against it, not desiring to be put on the spot.
He could hear the sound of glasses clinking and the cabinet creaking close, and it wasn't long until Paul rounded the corner of their couch and sat on the sofa across from them, placing three short glasses and a bottle of an alcoholic beverage down on the table that separated them.
Jacob hardened his eyes on the bottle, the cork plugged in at the mouth of it; a kind of scotch, from what he could read from the label.
Glancing to Joseph, he could see his younger brother's shared blue eyes narrow on the beverage. Neither had requested for a drink, and it bugged him that Paul picked an alcohol drink specifically.
It couldn't be for hospitality, the older man was already well-informed on the Project's rules, so it confused the men to what their host was doing.
Unscrewing the cork, Paul filled the three glasses half way with scotch, placing the bottle back before taking a glass for himself, making no gesture nor indication for either of the eldest Seeds to take a glass for themselves either.
Neither brother moved to take a glass for themselves, and Paul didn't comment on it.
The beekeeper sipped from his glass, a smirk spreading from the taste of the scotch. He focused his pale hazel eyes onto them, intrigue practically written on his face as he spread his legs and crossed one flatly on top of the other, though his face made a strange twitch when he did that.
Jacob finally noticed Paul's clothes were different; similar, but different. The color was still yellow and black, however he was wearing a Henley shirt, two of the top buttons left unbuttoned, revealing some of his dark skin. A contrast to the buttoned shirt he wore underneath his vest and suit. His pants were also different; they were missing the loops and belt he wore in their first meeting, and one of the legs seemed more baggy than the other. A minor mistake, likely another of his self-woven clothes.
It was casual attire; fitting, considering his casual attitude.
Swirling the glass in his hand, Paul didn't waste any time in asking, "So, what brings the eldest two Seeds to my figlia and I's home?"
Jacob looked to Joseph, his younger brother subtly leaning closer as he directed his words to Paul, "We were hoping we could speak about a very dire matter."
Paul raised a brow and tilted his head. Jacob noted that he didn't look worried, just curious. It was the same kind of tic Silva herself had.
"And what would be so dire that Silva and myself are unaware of?" Paul questioned in response, taking another sip of his glass. His tone lacked concern. Gratingly to Jacob, he looked more amused, his smile placid.
Joseph didn't waste time beating around the bush, as they agreed on previously, "I speak of the coming end. The Collapse that will bring upon flames and destruction across the valley, on the mountains and along the river."
Paul lost his smile, pausing mid-sip. His hazel eyes looked to Joseph, expression indiscernible. Jacob couldn't tell whether the older man's mind was racing or shocked into a forced stop.
Not even a minute, Paul finished the rest of his glass, placing it gently back onto the tabletop, empty next to the two filled ones. His eyes never left Joseph.
Paul changed his posture; taking his leg off the other, he sat up and leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees while his hands interlocked, nose resting on his hands while his focus narrowed on Joseph.
Jacob tensed, eyeing the man before him as he studied his younger brother. Paul didn't bat an eye to Jacob, making him more suspicious.
Admittedly, his first mistake when meeting Paul was regarding the older man as weak; his previous clothes gave off the impression that his stature was slimmer than it actually was, and his nonchalant and carefree attitude blindsided him.
In actuality, Paul had muscle, clear enough from the clothes he wore now. Not as obvious as Jacob himself, but still well toned. The suit he wore in their first meeting merely gave off the illusion of a lack of strength. And his jocular behavior was likely played up as well, to maintain a distance from his other qualities, such as his sharp perception.
It had Jacob curious. Who exactly was Paul Yellowjack? Was the man before him an illusion of his true self or did he simply exaggerate some of his present traits?
Most importantly, how did Silva fit into this? Does she know who the man before him is or was she as unaware as they were? For some reason, that didn't seem right to Jacob.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Paul let out a hum, breaking eye contact with Joseph as he leaned back up, seemingly satisfied by whatever conclusion he came to.
Paul grabbed another of the filled glasses, holding it by the rim, watching the liquid as he watched it swirl.
Billy as disgraced former New York City EMS chief who works as a taxi driver. About to enter a tunnel beneath the Hudson River, the tunnel entrance suddenly explodes and collapses right in front of him. He immediately climbs out of his taxi and begins to help the injured. Being told to stay out of it by his former coworkes and boss who arrive at the accident scene, Billy does exactly the opposite. He’s determined to find a way inside the collapsed tunnel and soon volunteers to go alone to help out survivors.
Steve as a struggling playwright whose plays keep getting rejected and who lives in an apartment infested with rats. He’s had enough and he packs his stuff and drives towards the tunnel while singing aloud “I’ve had it up to here with your shit, New York, New York”. He’s already inside when the explosion happens inside the tunnel, and he curls up inside his car as the firestorm wipes over him. Once the wave has passed, he gets out and starts looking for other survivors. The air is getting thinner with fumes and the fires are burning everywhere, but he still nearly risks his life helping out a group of delinquents out of a prison bus that’s leaking out gas.
Meanwhile Billy manages to find his way through a large air vent and immediately seeks out Steve and the rest of the survivors. He’s witnessed Steve’s heroic act by the prison bus and immediately asks him to help him. Steve, who only sees himself as a mere writer, not a hero, starts to panic and and stutter, shaking his head vigorously. As Billy keeps on praising him on his bravery and convinces him that he’s the right person for the job, Steve begrudgingly agrees to help him. They quickly become a team whose quick wits and solutions the other survivors start to rely on.
Their biggest enemy is time, and hypothermia, as the freezing waters keep flowing from the river into the tunnel. Exhausted and shivering from cold, Billy and Steve cling to each other in search for warmth, pushing each other to stay awake and to keep fighting. For each other, and for others who look up to them as leaders and saviours, and keep criticizing them for every mistake that that they make.
The time is ticking out as the water keeps filling the slowly collapsing tunnel. Can they find a way out before it’s too late?
As a child full of longing to escape the rules of her highborn life, as a young woman yearning for what could have been in another world, the merchant fleet of her family, Nesta Archeron had long dreamt of the sea.// Nesta in the Summer
i blame my mental instability this week entirely on @flowerflamestars ‘s INSANE NestaxTarquin au
it is now officially over. thank you so much for reading this, for your lovely comments and asks. I really enjoyed writing this, hopefully you enjoyed reading it. 💜
